Z-Burger Goes Healthier with Sandwiches, Salads

Z-Burger regulars in Tenleytown now have the option of slashing their calorie consumption a bit. Founder Peter Tabiban has opened Z-Sandwich in a space adjacent to his fast food joint at 4321 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

Tabibian had always planned to do a sandwich and salad concept when he opened his first Z-Burger, but the company's success ended up making him delay the project (there are now six locations of Z-Burger throughout the area). Z-Sandwich has two basic options. There are cheap sandwiches (almost all of them are priced at $4.59) in varieties like roast beef, meatball and tuna salad. Customers place their order and customize their bread and toppings. Meanwhile, the salad side of the equation offers different types of greens, more than 40 toppings, and about 18 choices in dressings. There are also sides like chips and cole slaw.

Tabibian calls the two sides of his business "the angel and the devil" — parents can treat their kids to a burger while selecting a salad for themselves, for example. Even the owner of the gym upstairs from Z-Burger is finally ordering something from his neighbor, Tabibian said.

The new Z-Sandwich gives the entrepreneur more expansion options — he can take over bigger locations and include both restaurants under one roof, or open up Z-Sandwich locations without needing the space to have a vent. Early reception is positive — he says he's bringing in 150-200 customers each day without having done any marketing, and Z-Burger's business isn't suffering. He plans to offer a free sandwich/salad deal for new customers in the next couple weeks, though he's still finalizing the details.
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Z-Sandwich [Photo: Peter Tabibian]